afterlife ➳ stranger things [2]

Chapter 5: Family First

"You sure about this?" Max turned to Lucas, as the two were standing outside of Murray Bauman's warehouse.

"Not at all." Lucas shook his head, turning back to look at Hopper, who decided to look for them.

"Lets go kids." Hopper walked between them, going to the front door.

The couple followed Hopper closely, Hopper ringing the buzzer.

"Look at the camera." Murray Bauman's voice rang from the speaker.

Hopper looked up at the camera, Max and Lucas hesitated, then followed. Noises came from the other side of the door, before it opened. On the other side was Murray, in a bathrobe.

"Chief," Murray paused, looking at Lucas and Max. "Don't you guys have homework?"

"Let us in, Bauman." Cheif sighed, taking off his hat.

"Alright." Murray paused, waving the three in.

Hopper went in, Max and Lucas went in after him. Murray checked to see if anyone else was there, before closing the door and locking it. Hopper, Max, and Lucas all walked into the living room, Max looking around as Hopper and Bauman spoke.

"Why are you here, Chief?" Murray moved past them, standing in front of Hopper with his arms folded.

"Do you know anything about finding a missing kid?" Hopper asked.

"Depends on the kid." Murray shrugged.

"A girl who supposedly died," Max paused. "A couple years back."

"What kid?" Murray turned to Hopper.

"My kid. Sarah." Hopper explained.

"I've heard rumors about a girl running around after she escaped Hawkins lab." Murray shrugged.

"Not that girl." Lucas sighed.

"She's blonde. Blue eyes, about Nancy Wheeler's age." Murray explained. Max raised her eyebrow, looking up at Hopper.

"Where was she seen last?" Hopper asked, keeping a monotone voice.

"New York, maybe closer to Baltimore." Murray explained.

Hopper paused, thinking. "Thanks." He said before leaving down the hall. Lucas and Max hesitantly followed behind.

"Aren't you gonna pay? At least ask me how I am?" Murray shouted, echoing throughout the hall.

Hopper, Lucas, and Max all left the warehouse without an answer.

"Are we gonna go to Baltimore?" Max asked.

"You have school." Hopper answered.

"Like that's ever stopped us." Lucas rolled his eyes.

"I'm not taking you to Baltimore." Hopper opened the car door, piling in.

"Then who are you going with?" Max asked, climbing into the middle.

"I'll be going alone." Hopper answered.

"What? That's so unfair." Max complained.

"You guys need to stay here in case something happens now I don't want to hear it." Hopper sushed them.

"But Sarah could lead us to Cassidy." Lucas climbed in after Max.

"And I will find out that and tell you, now I said I don't want to hear it." Hopper argued, before starting up the car, and driving away.

—

The door opened, Cassidy's aunt appeared. She had brown curly hair, hazel eyes just like Erin and Cassidy's. She was tall, with hippie like clothes.

"Hi auntie." Cassidy grinned.

"Cassidy," Her aunt pulled her into a hug. She pulled away, keeping her hands on Cassidy's shoulders. "When I heard what happened I just couldn't believe what had happened, when you called I was so joyful," She let go, looking over at Kali. "And you must be Kali."

"Nice to meet you Ms. Johnson." Kali smiled, shaking her hand.

"Please, call me Lily," She paused. "Well come in, come in."

Kali and Cassidy nodded, walking into the house. Lily looked out, checking for anyone. She closed the door, walking in.

"I have that sweet blossom tea you loved when you were thirteen." Lily smiled, walking to the kitchen.

"That would be awesome." Cassidy smiled, following her then sitting at the kitchen table. Kali then sat next to her.

"I have to ask, does Erin know you're alive?" Lily grabbed the tea bags.

"No," Cassidy looked over at Kali. "Uh not yet."

"When are you planning to tell her?" Lily poured water into the kettle, putting it onto the stove.

"Soon. I just have to find out some things." Cassidy explained.

"Like where you were adopted?" Lily asked.

"How'd you know?" Kali asked.

Lily paused, thinking about her answer. "Lucky guess."

"I do wanna know." Cassidy nodded.

"I knew your birth mother. She was a close friend to me. I knew she was pregnant with you, and who your father is. I told my sister about you being put up to adoption in Baltimore, and she drove down there as fast as she could. She loved you two dearly." Lily explained.

"Where was I adopted?" Cassidy eagerly asked.

"Center for family services. It was this brick building, it was nice and you guys played with this girl." Lily explained. Cassidy and Kali looked at each other.

"What was her name?" Cassidy put her hands on the table.

"What did she look like?" Kali eagerly asked.

"I don't know her name, but she was this adorable little girl. She had blue eyes and blonde hair. Hell, I almost even adopted her." Lily explained, right when the kettle went off.

She poured the hot water into the mugs, filing them up. She put the tea bags into the mug, then delivered the tea to Kali and Cassidy. They silently thanked her.

"You should have." Kali sighed, wrapping her hands around the mug.

"Why?" Lily questioned, sitting across from them.

"It's a long story." Cassidy sighed.

"Well, I know you both have powers." Lily sighed.

"Uh what?" Kali asked.

"Please, I've had my own experiences with powers." Lily shrugged.

"What now?" Cassidy raised her eyebrows.

"I met your mother, because I signed up for MKUltra." Lily explained.